Does SLT always do well with partnerships with caregivers? The experiences of the use of Makaton and SLT services from parents of children with Down Syndrome in NZ.

Abstract

Makaton, as an initial communication system using sign, is often recommended for children with Down syndrome, as it appears to be an accessible system that takes advantage of the relative strength of visual learning in this population. However, there are both strengths and weaknesses to this approach. The success of any communication intervention, especially with young children with developmental delays, depends very much on caregivers' willingness and capacity to support their children's learning at home. Using Makaton requires caregivers to learn a new communication system. As these points indicate, there are not inconsiderable demands on families from this intervention strategy. In spite of this dependence on family input for the success of the communication intervention, very few studies appear to have asked caregivers what they thought or what their experiences and opinions are about the intervention, and none appeared to be specific to the NZ context. This presentation reports on a qualitative research project which interviewed 10 caregivers of children with Down syndrome in NZ who had experience with Makaton. The interview data was subject to thematic analysis. Results showed that although there was much to say about Makaton, a stronger concern emerged about issues of service delivery, and the participants' experiences of the partnership between SLT and their families. The majority of caregivers were dissatisfied with the service provision in their area, citing such things as infrequent, intermittent service delivery, limited therapy and inconsistency of therapists. Those who could afford it often used private therapy services, about which they were more satisfied - except for the cost. There are implications from these findings for NZ SLT services to this population. However the value of this kind of investigation to the construction of successful partnerships is also highlighted, and point to a positive future.